Vehicle-wheel.



J. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPucATmN F1LED1uNE1o,1912.

L. Patented Nov. 16, i915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F@ Gi.

IuIlllVeIlIl/I/Ilfr 1' l. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLlc/mou rlLED 1uNE10, 1912.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

narran ZU'JVIS H. FIGENHORS-T, OF AKRON,

OrO, ASSEGNOR, BY MESNEE ASSEGNMENTS, OF

TWO-FIEFTHS TO TEF. B. F. GOODRECCH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A.GORFORyrlION OF NF'W YORK, ONE-FIFTH TO THE GOODYEAR OF OHIO, ANDONE-FEFTH TO THE UNTED STATES' AKRON, OHO, A COlil/FORATXONy TRF. &RUBBER COMPANY, OF

TIRE COMFNY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATON OF NEVI YORK.

VEHCLE-WEEEL.

incassa. y

' Application led June lo,

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that ll, JAMES H. WAGEN- noRsT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in Akron, county of Summit, and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful improvements in Vehicle-Wheels, of whichthe following is a specification.

T his invention relates to improvements in means for removably securinga rim adapted to carry a pneumatic or other resilient tire upon avehicle wheel. Such structures are commonly known as demountable rims.

My invention also comprises certainimprovements in wire wheel structure.

in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specication,Figure l is a side elevation of a vehicle wheel, embodying one form ofmy invention. Fig. 2

.. is a transverse section through the hub and one side of the fixed rimandLdetachable rim of the wheelfshowing a wheel having all its` spokestransversely crossed. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the hub,some of the spokes, and aportion of the fixed rim of the wheel shown AinFig. 2, the tire-carrying rim and tire being removed. Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2, showing a modifica'- tion of my improved Wheel inwhich only a part of the spokes are transversely crossed. Fig. 5 is aview similar to Fig. 3 of the wheel shown in Fig. 4;.- Fig. 6 is a sideelevation of a portion of fixed and .detachable rims, showing one formof my improvement in demountable rim structures, one of the lockingbolts or wedges being shown in section. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectionthrough the ixedand detachable rims shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 7 showing an- Letters Patent- Fatented Nov. ll, i915.

1912. Serial No. 702,853.

fixed rim may be of any suitable construction adapted to receive wirespokes. For example, the hub may be provided with the perforated flanges4, while the fixed rim 3 may be in the form of a rolled metal channel,having the outwardly extending flanges or legs 5 and 6. ln the form ofmy invention illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, the wheel is provided with aseries of spokes 7, all of,

the flange 5. lt will thus be seen that thesev spokes 7 and 8 cross themedial plane of the Wheel at the point -9 as indicated in Figs. 2and 3.'

It has heretofore been the practice, so far as l am aware, Wheels in twoseries, separated transversely,

the spokes of one series passing from a llange or other connecting meansat one side of they hub to the corresponding side of the xed rim, thespokes of the second series similarly connecting the oppositecorresponding sides of the hub and fixed rim. As will be readilyunderstood, the spokes arranged in this manner will be much more nearlyparallel than spokes arranged to cross transversely as illustrated inFig.2. The more nearly parallel the spokes the less able are they toresist the lateral stresses to which the wheel is subjected, suchstresses other form of my demountable rim structure. \being those mostdestructive to wire wheels Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of theform of my invention illustrated in Fig. '8. Figs. 8 and 9 show the samemodification of my invention illustrated in` Fig. 1, but ingreater'detail.l Figs. 10 and 11 are -a side elevation (part of thelocking wedge jbeing broken away) and a transverse section of a portionof fixed and detachable rims illustrating a modified form of demountablerim structure. l

Referring to theA` drawings in detail, the numeral l designates avehicle Wheel having a hub 2 and a fixed rim 3. The hub and and which ithas hitherto been found most diiiicult to care for. lt will be seen thatby crossing the spokes as shown, l get the maximum possible inclinationof the spokes for any given width of fixed rim and hub, and am thusenabled to obtain a rigid wheel without the necessity of undulyelongating the hub.

lln Figs. 4 and 5 l have showna modicaytion of my wire Wheelconstruction in which the spokes are arranged in four series, some of'the spokes extending from each side of the hub to the correspondingside of `the to arrange the spokes in wire the fianges 5 and 6 ofdifferent heights, it

fixed rim as in the usualswire wheel construction, while other spokescross transversely from one side of the hub to the opposite side of thefixed rim as is the case with the spokes 7 and 8 shown in F ig. 2. Thusit will be seen that the spokes extend from the flange 4 at theleft-hand side of the hub 2, to the right-hand side of the fixed rim 3near the flange 6 thereof, and the corresponding spokes l1 extend fromthe iiange 4 at the right-hand side of the hub, cross the spokes 10 inthe medial plane of the wheel as indicated at 12, and are connected tothe fixed rim 3 near the fiange 5 thereof. Other spokes, 13 and 14.extend from the flanges of the hub to the corresponding sides of thefixed rim. By this arrangement it will be seen that a very rigid wheelstructure is obtained, as thev spokes, hub and fixed rim form triangulartrusses adapted to resist lateral flexure of the'wheel in the mostefficient manner possible. rlhus it\will be seen that the spokes 10,v13, and the bottom of the fixed rim 3 form one triangle, spokes 11, 14and the fixed rim form a second triangle, spokes 1l, 13, and the hub 2form a third triangle, and spokes 10,14 andthe hub form a fourthtriangle.

My improvements in demountable rims are well adapted for use with Wirewheels,

and particularly with my improved form 1- of wire wheel above described,although they are not limited to such use and may be adapted to otherforms of wheels, whether wire, wooden, or of tubular metallicconstruction. ln accordance with my invention, the' fixed rim isprovided at each side' with abearing surface, these surfaces beingformed by the edges of the flangesv and 6 of the channel 3, where thefixed rim coinprises such a channel as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9inclusive. The flanges 5 and 6 are preferably made of difl'eretn heightsas in dicatd, the edges of these flanges which form the bearing surfacesbeing slightly beveled in the direction of the lower flange.

-'ll`he tire is carried by the removable rim 15 whicl1'"'may be of anysuitable construction,

and which is provided with the bearing surface 16 adapted to engage theedge of the higher flange 5 of the fixed rim, the rim being providedwith an inwardly projecting iange 17, the edge of which forms a bearingsurface adapted to engage the edge of the lowei` flange 6"of the fixedrim. By making will be seen that bearing surfaces for the rim atopposite sides of the fixed rim, of di'erent diameters, are provided.Such arrangement greatly facilitates the application and removal of theremovable rim and tire. A very slight lateral movement of the rim uponthe wheel frees the rirnl from the wheel to an extent sumcient medeeamust be withdrawn from the wheel first at the side diametricallyopposite to the valve stem, after which the rim can be lifted to drawthe valve stem out of the hole through the xed rim. With the rimsupported upon bearing surfaces of different diameters at the sides ofthe xed rim, such tipping is very easily accomplished, the amount ofclearance to permit such tipping being almost negligible. lf the bearingsurfaces were of the same diameter, several times the clearancewould benecessary to permit the rim to be tipped and the valve stem wit-h-`drawn as described. y

For securing the tire-carrying rim to the wheel, I use a series ofWedges of novel construction, adapted to be inserted between the wheeland tire-carryingrim, these wedgesN preferably not only acting directlyto retain the rim against lateral removal from the wheel, but alsoacting to force the rim away from the wheel at intervals, thusdistorting it slightly and causing it to clamp the bearing surfaces ofthe fixed rim between adjacent wedges. Such action is illustrated inFigs. 1, 6 and 9. As shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9,'the locking meanscomprise a plurality of conical wedges 18 of elliptical cross-section,which are adapted to be forced f laterally between properly shaped seats19 formed in the flange 17 of the rim, and 20 formed in the an'ge 6 ofthe fixed rim. The wedges are preferably drawn between the Seats on therim and fixed rim by means of bolts 21 as shown in Fig.- 8. Each bolt 21is provided with av right-hand 'threaded portion 22, screwing through anopening in the iiange 5 of the fixed rim, and`with a lefthand threadedportion 23 of greater diame ter than the threaded portion 22, thisthreaded portion 23 *screwing through 'a similarly threaded opening inthe wedge 18. By screwin up the bolt 21 it will be seenY that` a doub emovement will be imparted to the wedge, so that it may be quickly movedto operative or inoperative position. The elliptical sectiona of thewedges 18 prevents their rotation with the bolts 21 when thev latter areturned to move the wedges in or but.

Figs.'6 and 7 show a modification of my invention in which the wedgesand their attached bolts are formed integral. Asshown in these figuresbolts 24 are used, having inltegral conical heads 25 of circularsection', these heads constituting the wedges which engage thecorrespondingly shaped bearing surfaces 26 and 27 on the detachable andi-iedaaa fixed rims respectively. 'llhe bolt has a screw-threaded end 23which screws through an opening in the flange of the fixed rim.. flheheads 25 being of circular section, they do not prevent the freerotation of the bolts 24C.

In Figs. l0 and 11 l have shown a modified rim structure in which thetire-carying rim is wedged upon a wheel by means of a series of wedges29, only one of which is shown. The wedges 29A have curved outer wedgingfaces, as indicated at 30 in figo l0, these curved facesengaging'correspondingly shaped seats 3l formed in the fiange 32 of thetire-carrying rim 33. ln accordance with my improved structureillustrated in these gures, the seats 3l for the wedges 29 are formed bybending in portions of the flange 32 as indicated at 34. rlhe sidesurface of the turned in portion of the flange forms a seat 31 of theproper shape to be engaged by the wedge 29. rlhe convex shape of thewedges and the corresponding concave shape of the seats 3l permit thewedges 29 to act as driving lugs and prevent creeping of the rim uponfthe wheel. The portions of the flange 32 between adjacent wedges 29 areintended to be drawn into contact with the surface of the wheelperiphery and thus clamp the rim upon the wheel and give the rim propersupport throughout the greater part of its circumference. At theopposite side of the wheel periphery a bearing surface 35 is providedupon a raised flange 36, this bearing surface being engaged by acomplementary bearing surface 37 formed on the under side of the rim.

' It will be understood that the wedges shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9,engaging the concave seats formed in the flanges on the fixed anddetachable rims, effectually lock the rim against circumferentialmovement upon the fixed rim, and thus render unnecessary the use ofdriving lugs for that purpose. Adjustable wedges of this nature are muchmore effective for preventing creeping than fixed driving plates, asthey may be drawn up tight so as to prevent even the slightestcircumferential movement and thus eliminate wear from this cause. Withfixed driving plates some play is inevitable.

Having thus described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, butwithout desiring to limit myself to the details shown and described anyfurther than as specified in certain of the more limited claims hereuntoappended, l claim- 1. The combination with a vehicle wheel of a fixedrim having flanges of di'erent heights at the edges of the peripherythereof, 'of a demountable tire-carrying rim having a bearing surfaceadapted to engage the edge of the higher flange of the fixed rim, andhaving an inwardly projecting flange, the edge of which is adapted toengage the fedges of the periphery thereo ing a bearing surface'engaging the higher 1 of said flanges, said demountable rim having aninwardly projecting ange engaging the lower of said flanges, the bearingsurfaces of said last named pair of anges being provided at intervalswith complementary recesses and wedges adapted to be inserted laterallyin said complementary recesses and said wedges being adapted to liftsaid demountable rim away from said fixed rim at their points of contactand to cause said demountable rim to clamp said fixed' rim between suchpoints, and means for operating said wedges and retaining them inposition.

3. The combination ina vehicle wheel of a fixed rim comprising aU-shaped channel having flanges "of different heights .at the f, of ade-rmountable tire-carrying rim having a bear-- ing surface engaging thehigher ofL said [langes and having an inwardly projecting flangeengaging the lower `of said flanges, the edges of said engagingflanges-being provided with complementary recesses having beveled walls,a conicalwedge-of non-circular cross-section adapted to be inserted insaid complementary recesseshand a bolt passing axially through saidwedge and screw-v ing through an'opening in the higher flange of saidwheel. j

4c. The combination with a vehicle wheel having flanges of differentheights at the edges of the peripherythereof, of a tirecarrying rimhaving a bearing surface enf- 'gaging the higher of said flanges, andhaving an inwardly projecting flange engaging the lower of said flanges,the inwardly projecting flange on said rim havin a semielliptical notchformed in the e ge thereof, a complementary semi-elliptical notch being.formed in the edge of the lower flange of said wheel, the walls of saidcomplementary notches being convergently beveled, a conical wedge ofelliptical cross-section inserted in said semi-elliptical notches, Vsaidwedge having an internally threaded axial opening therethrough and abolt passing through said `opening and having a'screw-y threaded portionengaging with the same, said bolt having a second screw-threded por`tion screwing through an opening in the higher lange of said wheel, thetwo threaded portions of said bolt having opposite pitches.

5. rll`he combination with a vehicle wheel having flanges of di'erentheights at the edges of the periphery thereof, of a tirecarrying rimhaving a-bear1ng surface engaging the higher of said flanges, and havingan inwardly projecting flange engaging the lower of said flanges, saidflanges being provided with complementary notches, a Wedge inserted insaid notches` having an internally threaded axial opening therethrough,and a bolt passing through rsaid opening and having a screw-threadedportion engaging with the same, said bolt having a second screw-threadedportion screwing through an opening in the higher flange notches, saidwedge having an internally f threaded axial opening therethrough and abolt passing through said opening, and having a4 screw-threaded portionengaging with .the same, said bolt having a second screwthreaded portionscrewing through an opening in the higher flange of said wheel, the twothreaded portions of said bolt having opposite pitches. L

7. The combination With a vehicle wheel having flanges Jof did'erentheights at the yedges of the periphery thereof, of a tire-r carrylng rimhaving a bearing surface env gaging thevhigher of said flanges, andhaving an inwardly projecting ange engaging the lower of said flanges,said flanges being provided with complementary notches, la

j incassa conical wedge of elliptical cross-section inserted in saidnotches, said wedge having an internally-threaded axial openingtherethrough, and a bolt passing through said opening, and having ascrew-threaded portion engaging with the same, said bolt having a secondscrew-threaded portion screwing through an opening in the higher flangeof said wheel, the two threaded portions of said bolt having oppositepitches.

8. rEhe combination with a vehicle wheel of a fixed rim having flangesof different heights at the edges of the peripherythereof, of ademountable tire-carrying rim having a bearing surface adapted vtoengage the edge of the higher flange of the fixed rim and having aninwardly projecting flange, the edge of which is adapted to engage theedge of the lower flange of the fixed rim, of means for forcing said ydemountable rim out of contact with said fixed rim at a plurality ofpoints and for causing it to clamp said fixed rim elsewhere about itscircumference coniprising a plurality of vwedges adapted to be insertedbetween said last-named flanges, and means for forcing said wedgesbetween said flanges and retaining them in position.

9. The combination with a vehicle wheel of a fixed rim having flanges ofdifferent heights at the edges of the periphery thereof, of ademountable tire-carrying rim having a bearing surface adapted to engageone of the flanges, and an inwardly projecting flange, the edge of which'is adapted to engage the edge of the other flange of the fixed rim, anda wedge seated between the flange of the Tfixed rim andthe flange of thedemountable rim for locking the latter upon the wheel, said wedge beingmounted upon a bolt member passingA therethrough and into the wall ofthe opposite flange.

. JAMES H. VAGENHORST. Witnesses:

SEWARD DAVIS, EDMUND QUNoY MOSES.

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